Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species has a large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (Extent of Occurrence <20,000 km2 combined with a declining or fluctuating range size, habitat extent/quality, or population size and a small number of locations or severe fragmentation). The species is suspected to be declining but at a slow rate in line with the rate of forest cover loss throughout the range, which does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (>30% decline over ten years or three generations). The population size is unknown and hence cannot be assessed under the population size criterion (<10,000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be >10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). The population size is not suspected to be small. For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.
Population justification
The population size of this species has not been quantified, but it has been described as generally scarce. The size of the range and large extent of remaining apparently suitable habitat suggests that the overall population size is unlikely to be small.
Trend justification
A slow population decline is suspected to be occurring in line with habitat degradation and the conversion of forest to agricultural land throughout the species's range. Forest cover loss within the range has totalled 8.5-9.4% over the past ten years (minimum is for canopy closure of 30% and forest cover from 2010, maximum is for 75% and 2010 respectively [data from Global Forest Watch 2021]). While the species occurs in secondary and degraded forest, absolute forest cover loss is suspected to drive a population reduction at a rate up to an equivalent value, hence the rate of past population reduction is suspected to have been between 1-9%. The maximum annual mean rate of forest cover loss has been for the period between 2015-2020, which if projected for the period 2015-2025 would be equivalent to a 9.7-10.8% loss of forest cover (data from Global Forest Watch 2021). This is very similar to the most recent 5-year annual mean, which if projected forwards for 2021-2031 is equivalent to a 9.2-9.7% loss of forest cover (data from Global Forest Watch 2021).
The species is tolerant of some level of habitat degradation and occurs in secondary and logged forests but does depend on forest cover, hence absolute forest cover loss is suspected to be driving a population reduction at a rate up an equivalent value of forest loss, hence the population is suspected to have declined at a rate of between 1-9% over the past 10 years, at 1-10% over the next ten years and at a maximum rate of up to 11% over the 10-year period including the current year.
C. fallax is patchily distributed across mainland Sulawesi Indonesia, as well as on Lembeh Island (BirdLife International 2001), where it is generally scarce (del Hoyo et al. 2020), and Buton Island, where it is uncommon (Martin et al. 2012).
This species inhabits primary lowland forest (with roosts found above small waterways [T. Martin, J. Monkhouse, and D. O'Connell in litt. 2020], although is not necessarily associated with water) up to 1,000 m, but chiefly below 600 m, and has also been recorded from tall secondary and selectively logged forest (del Hoyo et al. 2020).
Forest cover loss within its elevation range has been significant in recent decades (Global Forest Watch 2021), primarily due to conversion to agriculture and logging. The species occurs in secondary and logged forests, and as such any rate of population reduction may be less rapid, but the rate of loss is suspected to be sufficient to be causing a population reduction. Forest is being lost due to conversion to both timber plantations and for non-timber commodities (rubber, coconut and to a lesser degree oil palm), and most is for small-holder agriculture although there are also large-scale operations taking place. Logging is principally selective for local construction needs but again there are areas are targeted for large-scale commercial timber extraction of hardwoods.
Conservation Actions Underway
It occurs in several protected areas across Sulawesi; including Tangkoko DuaSudara Nature Reserve, Manembonembo Nature Reserve, Panua Nature Reserve, Gunung Ambang Nature Reserve, and Dumoga-Bone National Park (del Hoyo et al. 2020 and references therein). It also occurs in Lambusango Forest Reserve and Buton Utara Nature Reserve on Buton Island (T. Martin, J. Monkhouse, and D. O'Connell in litt. 2020),
Conservation Actions Proposed
Conduct repeated surveys throughout the species's range to determine its current status and assess population trends. Conduct ecological studies to identify its precise habitat requirements and response to habitat degradation or fragmentation. Increase the area of suitable habitat that has protected status and safeguard against logging and agricultural encroachment.
12cm. A tiny forest kingfisher with a bright red bill, blue-speckled black upper crown, lilac cheek and white neck patch, white throat and orange underparts. Upperparts are brown. Bright blue lower back, rump and uppertail coverts. Similar spp. C. sangirensis is larger with the dark crown extending lower to connect to the eye, and the lower back, rump and uppertail coverts are more violet than bright blue.
Text account compilers
Martin, R., Fernando, E.
Contributors
Benstead, P., Gilroy, J., Martin, T., Monkhouse, J., O'Connell, D., Symes, A. & Taylor, J.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Sulawesi Dwarf-kingfisher Ceyx fallax. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/sulawesi-dwarf-kingfisher-ceyx-fallax on 22/12/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 22/12/2024.